Netflix will keep Seinfeld in its streaming catalog for another five years after renewing its licensing agreement with Sony Pictures Television.
The new deal keeps the 180-episode comedy on the platform globally, but restricts its exclusivity to the United States and Canada. Sony is now able to sell streaming rights in other territories.
The agreement was reached shortly before the previous 2019 contract, which made Netflix the exclusive global home for the series, was set to expire on October 1.
Netflix originally pushed for the rights to the comedy after losing other major catalog series, including Friends and The Office, to the proprietary streaming platforms of their respective studios.
While the value of the new operation has not been made public, it is considered lower than the estimated $500 million of the original deal, partly because Sony retained international non-exclusive rights.
Enduring viewership
Seinfeld, created by Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, premiered in 1989 and ran for nine seasons before concluding in 1998.
According to Nielsen data cited by Sony, nearly 60 million Americans, representing approximately 20% of the country's population, watched at least one minute of the show during the first half of 2026.
Netflix's own viewing report showed each of the eight seasons registered between 3 million and 3.5 million global views from January to June 2026.
Ted Sarandos, co-chief executive of Netflix, said the show that became famous for not being about anything is actually everything, describing it as one of the best comedies in television history.
Paramount cable rights
Sony has also reached a parallel agreement with Paramount to maintain exclusive cable television rights in the United States for another three years. The series will continue broadcasting on Comedy Central, TV Land and other network channels.
Seinfeld is currently the most watched acquired series on Comedy Central, and ranks second among viewers aged 25 to 54 on TV Land.
Paramount television media president George Cheeks said the show continues to connect with different generations of viewers, adding that such historic franchises remain a fundamental part of the group's programming strategy.
